No arrests have yet been made in the break-in at Jewel’s Market but Smithville Police now know that the Chevy Tahoe used by the two burglars to crash into the store building was stolen. It was apparently taken from the car lot of Glynn’s Auto Sales on West Broad Street.
Glynn Merriman, owner of the car lot, told WJLE Friday that someone broke into his office building during the night, removing a room air conditioner and making entry through a window. Three sets of car keys were taken from the office, including one set which went to the Chevy Tahoe. Merriman said the Tahoe was the only vehicle missing from the car lot.
After stealing the Tahoe, the thieves apparently wound up at Jewel’s Market on South Congress Boulevard just after midnight Friday morning where they crashed the SUV through the front doors to make entry, causing significant damage. The driver and passenger then got out of the vehicle and tried to steal the in-store ATM. The crime was captured on store video surveillance. The two men reportedly wore something covering their faces. They reportedly tied a chain to the ATM in an effort to pull it out of the store with the Tahoe. But when officers arrived, the two men abandoned the ATM and SUV and fled on foot, making their escape around back of the building and into the woods.
Nothing else appeared to have been taken from the store.
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